Paris (AFP)

More than 150 global companies and investors, including EDF, Apple and Google, have urged European leaders to aim for a reduction of at least 55% of greenhouse gases by 2030 in an open letter, according to a press release from Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

"We are writing to ask you, as European leaders, to avoid the worst effects of the climate and ensure a sustainable and competitive economic recovery" by agreeing in particular "on a clearly defined objective of reducing national greenhouse gas emissions of greenhouse at least 55% by 2030 ", plead these European leaders.

The letter was signed by more than 150 European companies, investors and business networks, including Microsoft, Ikea, Deutsche Bank, Unilever, H&M, Google, EDF, Signify and Apple, according to the ICFTU statement.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is due to unveil the target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 during her State of the Union address to the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Brussels intends to raise its target for reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions for 2030 to -55%, while it is currently set at -40% compared to the 1990 level, a European source said on Saturday. to AFP.

According to the signatories of the letter, "from the point of view of companies and investors, it is essential to clarify the transition path to + zero emissions + and the timetables for each sector, as well as to put in place a policy that allows substantial investments in carbon neutral solutions ".

"This would give us the confidence to invest decisively (...) to reduce emissions, create decent green jobs, stimulate innovation and accelerate the reconstruction of a resilient zero carbon economy," they write.

According to the press release, this initiative is led by the European Corporate Leaders Group (CLG Europe), presented as "a cross-sectoral group of European companies working for climate neutrality".

© 2020 AFP